Sonoma Valley Hospital Ranks High Statewide and Nationally
An independent think tank that awards hospitals for being socially responsible has given top marks to two acute care hospitals in the North Bay, and recognized several other health care facilities in the region.
The 2024-2025 Lown Institute Hospitals Index awarded “A” grades to Adventist Health Ukiah Valley and Sonoma Valley Hospital, based on over 50 metrics across the categories of health equity, value of care and patient outcomes, according to the Needham, Massachusetts-based institute. Lown, which ranked more than 3,500 hospitals nationwide, announced the results June 25.
Of the 258 acute care hospitals measured in California, the 78-bed Adventist Health Ukiah Valley was ranked most socially responsible, and fourth nationally, according to the findings.
“Being in a rural community with limited resources, we are our community’s safety net,” Dave Leighton, administrator for Adventist Health Ukiah Valley, said in the hospital’s own announcement released June 27. “This recognition is a testament to our team’s efforts to improve on these metrics by responding to our community’s needs, even beyond the four walls of our hospitals and clinics.”
Lown ranked the 49-bed Sonoma Valley Hospital the second most socially responsible acute care hospital in the state and 10th in the nation. The facility is operated by the Sonoma Valley Health Care District.
“As an essential part of Sonoma, SVH is committed to serving the whole community and are pleased to receive recognition for our commitment to provide excellent care,” John Hennelly, Sonoma Valley Hospital president and CEO, said in the facility’s June 28 news release.
Lown also issued “A” grades for social responsibility measures to four other acute care hospitals in the North Bay. They are, by rank, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (6), Sutter Solano Medical Center in Vallejo (19), Adventist Health St. Helena (23) and Petaluma Valley Hospital (62).
Acute care hospitals receiving a “B” grade are Novato Community Hospital (84), MarinHealth Medical Center (87), Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital (125), Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center (136) and Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, Napa (144).
Lown issued a “C” grade to Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Medical Center (189), NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield (202), Kaiser Permanente Vacaville Medical Center (233) and Kaiser Permanente San Rafael Medical Center (248).
“Great care is only great if everyone can access it,” Dr. Vikas Saini, president of the Lown Institute, stated in the announcement. “Socially responsible hospitals are trusted to provide high-quality care to all, and their success directly improves the health and economic stability of their communities.”
The Lown Institute states its rankings are nonpartisan, and that no funding is received from outside sources. The organization reports its data sources include Medicare fee-for-service and Medicare Advantage claims, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services patient safety data and hospital cost reports, and IRS 990 forms, among others.
